Slices
Prepare
Begin by asking the Lord to forgive you for times when you doubted him and his ability to answer prayer.
Bible passage
Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 ‘Lord, have mercy on my son,’ he said. ‘He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.’
17 ‘You unbelieving and perverse generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.’ 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’
20 He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’
Jesus predicts his death a second time
22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.
Explore
Jesus and the disciples met another crowd (v 14). In the following verses, we see the faith of the man whose son is suffering (v 16) and the disciples’ unbelief (vs 16,17). Why was Jesus disappointed with the disciples (v 17)?
In verse 18, Jesus did what the disciples could not. He rebuked the demon that was controlling the boy, and he was healed.
Naturally, the disciples wanted to understand why Jesus was able to do that when they couldn’t (v 19). Jesus talked to them about true faith (v 20). Look back to Matthew 13:31,32. How does that explain what Jesus meant in verse 20?
Jesus was explaining that it isn’t the amount of knowledge that counts when it comes to God. What matters is true faith and trust in him, even if it’s as small as a mustard seed (v 20). A mustard seed is 1–2 mm wide, it is tiny. About what are you expressing mustard-seed faith at the moment?
Jesus predicted his death again (vs 22,23). The disciples’ reaction is stronger this time. How does Matthew describe it (v 23)? Compare Matthew 16:22 and Matthew 17:12,13 with this verse to see the disciples’ growth in understanding about Jesus’ predictions of his death.
Respond
In response to today’s reading, you might want to pray for someone you know who is suffering, that Jesus will heal them. Alternatively, ask Jesus to strengthen your faith and trust in him.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 49,50; Hebrews 8
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Young Leaders’ Enabler Rachel Blake as she works on resources that Faith Guides can use with young leaders including a journal and Bible reflections. Please pray that the resources will help and encourage the young people to step out and reveal Jesus to those around them.
A child has started following Jesus. Help them keep growing.
A child's decision to trust Jesus is a moment to celebrate, but it's also the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. Journey to the Sacred Kingdom helps children aged 5–8 discover what it means to know God through his Word, grow in faith and walk with Jesus every day.
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